Philippe Godefroid Vande Wouwere, magistraat van de schatkist van Brussel 1675

This medal was made in 1673 for Philippe Godefroid Vande Wouwere, a magistrate from Brussels. One side features an elaborate coat of arms, while the other depicts the skyline of Brussels under a radiant sun. The image of the sun, with its life-giving and illuminating rays, has been a potent symbol across cultures since ancient times. In ancient Egypt, the sun god Ra was the source of all life, while in Greek mythology, Helios drove his chariot across the sky each day. Here, the sun seems to be alluding to the divine right of rulers, a concept rooted in the collective unconscious, suggesting that authority comes from a higher power. This notion echoes in later art, from Renaissance portraits to Baroque allegories of state power, each referencing the sun as an emblem of supreme authority. Notice how this symbol has endured, evolving yet retaining its core message of power and legitimacy, resonating deeply within our shared cultural memory.